Arizona has some amazing locations from deserts to forests. Here are all the best tips to capture this special time in your life from an Arizona Engagement Photographer.

The best time to take engagement photos in Arizona

Central Arizona and Southern Arizona: September-April. The summer heat is a health risk and not worth heat stroke, getting dehydrated, or passing out. Plus you’ll be all sweaty in your photos and who wants that?

Sedona gets very hot in July/August as well but at least it cools off at night. October – March it can get really cold, especially at night. The red rocks are beautiful all year round!

Flagstaff is at such a high altitude, this is the only place I would recommend for summer photos in Arizona. It actually has Fall leaves and snow in the winter so if you’re looking for a seasonal photoshoot this would be the place!

Arizona Engagement photo Locations

Phoenix Engagement Photo Locations

Papago Park -625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008

Right next to the Phoenix zoo, Papago park is a beautiful open area to take engagement photos. There is a pond with palm trees and stunning rock formations.

Desert Botanical Gardens – 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008

Stunning desert landscaping, you’ll find every kind of cactus here at the Desert Botanical Gardens. The second Tuesday of every month is free admission, otherwise it is $15-$30 per person.

West Valley Engagement Photo Locations

White Tanks – 20304 West White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell, AZ 85355

Requires a $50 permit last time I checked and $8 per car entry fee. After rain, there is a beautiful waterfall here.

Sahuaro Ranch Park – 9802 North 59th Avenuepark, Glendale, Arizona 85302

This city park requires a permit and has some beautiful greenery (which is hard to find sometimes in AZ).

Lake Pleasant – 1835 N. Castle Hot Springs Rd. Morristown, AZ 85342

Looking for water in the desert? Lake Pleasant is a nice spots with beautiful rocks.

East Valley Engagement Photo Locations

Usury Mountains – 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207

Pay $8 per car, beautiful saguaros and joshua trees.

Lost Dutchman State Park – 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Iconic Superstition Mountains and desert. Sunrise is best for photos here.

Coon’s Bluff – Coon Bluff Rd, Mesa, AZ 85215

Tonto National Forest Pass required for your car, these can be purchased at a gas station on the way. I love Coon’s Bluff because I see wild horses there 50% of the time I’ve been 🙂 there’s lots of cool spots along the Salt River. Saguaro Lake, Phon D Sutton, and more. In the spring there are tons of wildflowers!

Tempe Town Lake – 272 Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281
I love the bridge at Tempe town lake and it’s really fun to take photos at night with the lights.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum – 37615 E Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ 85173

Entry Fee and photo pass required. This beautiful place has a variety of landscapes and a beautiful greenhouse.

Queen Creek Olive Mill –  25062 S Meridian Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

This is my favorite place to eat in Arizona. With all the olive trees, it feels a bit like Tuscany

Scottsdale Engagement Photo Locations

Scottsdale Civic Center – 3939 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

There is an iconic LOVE statue there and beautiful white walls with landscaping. Fun little date since there is ice cream and a library there as well.

Tom’s Thumb

Boulders Resort/Cave Creek Area

Giant rock formations and desert surroundings.

Sedona Engagement Photo Locations

Doe Mountain Trail

Sunrise is best for this spot. A moderate 45 minute hike to the top, it has an amazing view of Sedona.

Wagon Mound

No hike required a neat bowl of red rock.

Lover’s Knoll

Great view of Sedona with only a few steps from the parking lot.

Devil’s Bridge

Iconic natural narrow bridge, 4×4 vehicle required and intense hike to the top.

Cathedral Rock

Stunning rock formation that is very popular, easy to get halfway up then intense hike to the top.

Forest (behind Amara or Creekside Inn)

Flagstaff Engagement Photo Locations

Snowbowl

Flagstaff Arboretum

Lockett Meadow

Tucson Engagement Photo Locations

Gates Pass

Saguaro National Park

Mount Lemmon

Arizona Destination Engagement Photo Locations

Grand Canyon National Park

Lake Powell

Antelope Canyon

Horseshoe Bend

Cibicue Falls

Havasupai Falls

Glamis Sand Dunes (Yuma/California Border)

Amangiri (technically Utah, but just right over the border. After the dam)

Creative Arizona Engagement Photo Locations

Your own home

Your friend’s or family member’s backyard

Airbnb

Peerspace

Photo studio

At an activity such as a small plane ride, movie theater, etc